Dispensing and relief valve



A ril 2, 1963 P. F. SCHMID ETA]. 3,083,882

DISPENSING AND RELIEF VALVE Filed Sept. 6, 1960 INVENTORS PAUL Fl SCHMID JOHN E- MULLER AT ORNEY.

Sites This invention relates generally to valve mechanisms; andmore particularly is directed to adispensing and relief valve for controlling the flow of a fluidl under pressure while limiting the maximum value of that pressure, and which is primarily intended for use with aerosolicontainers or other pressurized vessels containing liquid, semi-liquid or gaseous material under superatmospheric pressure.

Aerosol containers are widely used for many products, such as, for example, paints, waxes, insecticides; germi cides, shaving soaps and medications, which. are in the form of an active liquid held under pressure by a compressed' gas in the container. The container is provided With a normally closed dispensing valve which; when in its open position, permits the liquid to be forcibly ejected therethrough so as to form amist or foam of the active liquid.

Since aerosol containers are disposable after. the con sumption of the contents thereof, it is apparent that" only a very low cost valve mechanism can be used on' an aerosol container. Although suitably inexpensive dispensing valves have been developed which are effective to normal 1y seal the pressurized aerosol mixture in the' container, and to dispense the pressurized mixture upon. manual actuation of the valve, such existing dispensing valves are notcapable of releasing an excess pressure withinlthe container when such pressure rises above a predetermined safe value,'for example, by reason of exposure of the container to a high temperature. Thus, aerosol containers have been known to explode whenthe pressure thereinex ceeds a predetermined safe value, and the explosion of an aerosol container may cause injury to a person in the vicinity thereof or at least result in the wide dispersal of the materials in the container with attendant damage to surrounding articles or the like.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a combined dispensing and relief valve for use on containers having materials therein under pressure so that, while the valve normally seals the materials in the container and is eifective, when actuated, to dispense the pressurized materials from the container, it further responds to an excess pressure within the container to effect the automatic release of such pressure above a predetermined value.

Another object is to provide a combined dispensing, and pressure relief valve of the described character which is designed and constructed so as to be inexpensive to produes and assemble, thereby making the valve suitable for use on disposable aerosol containers.

A further object is to provide a novel arrangement by which a dispensing valve, which preferably also functions as a pressure relief valve, may be conveniently mounted in the conventional top or cap of. an aerosol container, thereby to reduce the cost of assembling the valve to the container.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a combined dispensing and relief valve particularly adapted for use on an aerosol container includes a small tu'bular valve body of rubber or similar resilient material intended to be mounted in the top or cap of the aerosol container or the like, and having an intake tube at its lower end. for receiving the pressurized mixture from the container and an inwardly directed annular sealing rib on its cylindrical wall, and a small tubular metal stem or plunger inserted axially into the tubular valve body toa position within the atent G lat-ter where it is insealing engagement with the inwardly directed annular ribs The tubular metal stem or plunger has a small radial discharge port formed therein and is movable-axially-between a closed position, where the discharge portlies aboveothe annular sealing rib and hence-isout ofcommunication withthe container, and. ant'open position, where thedischarge port lies below the-annular sealing rib and thus delivers the-pressurized mixture from the container through the tubular stem or plunger. Thus, the dispensing function of the valve embodyingi the-present invention results fromthe cooperation :oh th'e inwardly directed annular sealing rib ofthe valvenbody with the outer surface and discharge port of the "axially movable stemi Further, the inwardly directed annular sealing rib is suitablydimensioned: of the resilient material ifor-ming thetubular valve body so thatit remainsiinsealing. engagement with the outer surface of the axiallyimovablestem whensubjected to any normal pressuresewithins the container, but will yield and permit pres sure tosescape from the container-between the axially movable stem or plunger. and the annular sealing ribwheneverzthe pressure in. thecontainer exceeds a predetermined safe limit."

Inraccordaneewith' anotheraspect of the invention, the tubular valvebodyof rubber or other resilient material has aaradiallyioutwardprotruding top rimfi'tting upwardly into.the inverted, cup-shaped valve housing protruding upwardly at thecentera of I the conventional-aerosol container cap, which. valve. housing has .acentraliopening to permit 1 thespassageaof the valve stemor plunger there'- thronghc and; this-."top rinrof the: valve; body. is sealed against the inner; surface; of the. valvehousing, by means ofalrigidbushinginserted. within the. top-portion of the val-veabodyr and :a: rigid. retaining .collar: which extends .over thervalvea body below thettoprim of .thelatter and has a forcefit in the valve 'housingtof the container cap.

Thee-above; and rother. objects, features and advantages of? the-invention, Wi1l.be. apparent in the. following detailed: description of an illustrative. embodiment thereof which is-.to be read iniconnection with the accompanying drawing. forming a part .hereof, and :wherein:

FIG: 1. is anielevationalwiew, partly broken away and in section,-.of annaerosolcontainer having a dispensing and pressure relief valve. embodyingthe present invention;

FIG; Zis anlenlarged; axial sectional viewof the combineddispensingandpressure reliefvalve of FIG. 1 and of thertop; portion of theaerosolcontainer in which such valve is; mounted, with: the valve being shown in its normal clbsediposition;

FIG: 31 is a. sectionaliview. similar to.that of FIG. 2, butivshowingtthe,valve; in:its open ordispensing position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary axial sectional view ofraportion of the valve in the. position of FIG. 2, but showing theroperation. of the.valve in releasing an excess pressure Witlnnthe associated aerosol container.

Referringttor thedrawing. in detail, and initially to-FIG. 1; thereof, it: will berseeni that a combined dispensing-and pressure relief. valve embodying the present invention, and. there. generally identified by the reference numeral 10; is; showna in; connection with a conventional aerosol container. ellrlr of ther top-filled type, that is, a container having: a top: opening; through which the container is. filled primrto the: closing thereof by atop wall or cap 12 having a peripheral rim 13 which is crimpedt around a rolled rim l d-at the: toptedge of the: container. Preferably, a sealing gasket 15. is: inserted between rims 1'3 and 14. (FIG. 2.) was to' ensure againstleakage. between the cap and body of container 11'. The. cap 12 of the conventional areosol container further has an inverted, cup-shaped valve hous, ing IG-protruding upwardly at the center thereof.

As shown in- FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the valve. 101 embodying Patented-Apr. 2, 1963 a,osa,sa2

the present invention includes a generally tubular valve body 17 formed of rubber or other suitably resilient ma-- terial and having a radially outward protruding top rim 18 dimensioned to fit snugly into valve housing 16 of the: container top wall or cap 12. In order to hold valve body 17 securely within housing 16 with the top rim 18- in sealing engagement with the inner surface of the valve housing, a rigid metal bushing 19 is inserted in the top portion. of valve body 17, and a rigid metal retaining collar 20 extends around valve body 17 below top rim. 18 of the latter and has a force or press-fit in valve housing 16 of container cap 12.

The inner bushing 19 is diametrically dimensioned so that it maintains the radially outwardly directed pressure of top rim 18 against the inner surface of housing 16,. while retaining collar 20 is driven upwardly a sufiicient: distance into housing 16 so that the top edge of collar 20- acts upwardly against the lower annular surface of rim 18 to hold the latter in sealing engagement with themderside of the top wall of housing 16. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bushing 19 and collar 20 preferably overlap axially so that the lower end portion of bushing 19 maintains the radially outward pressure of the side wall of valve body 17 against the upper end portion of collar 20. Thus, bushing 19, collar 20 and top rim 18- cooperate to secure valve body 17 within housing 16, and further to prevent leakage of the aerosol mixture out of container 11 between valve body 17 and housing '16.

The lower end of tubular valve body 17 taper-s downwardly, as at 21, and terminates in a depending inlet tube 22 through which the aerosol mixture within container 11v can enter the interior of valve body 17.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the combined dispensing and relief valve embodying this invention further has a tubular metal stem or plunger assembly 23' inserted axially into valve body 17 from the top of the latter and including a tubular stem 24 containedrwholly within body 17 and having its lower end closed by a plug 25, and a tubular adapter 26 having a reduced diameter lower end portion fitting tightly into the upper end portion of stem 24 and projecting axially upward from the latter through a central opening 27 in the top wall of housing 16. The upper end of tubular stem 24 may be formed with a radial, outwardly directed flange 28 adapted to engage against the underside of the top wall of housing 16 around the central opening 27 in order to limit the upward movement ofstem assemblyi23 at the position illustrated in FIG. 2. A helical compression spring 29 is positioned within valve body 17 and has its lower end bearing against a seat 30 formed at the upper end of inlet tube 22, while the upper end of spring 29 bears against the lower end edge of tubular stem 24 andis located by engagement around plug 25 which projects downwardly from stem 24. Thus, spring 29 acts to yieldably urge stern assembly 23 to its uppermost position illustrated in FIG. 2.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, valve body 17 is further formed with an inwardly directed annular sealing rib 31 extending from the cylindrical wall of the valve body intermediate the ends of the latter and normally disposed in sealing engagement with the outer surface of valve stem 24, thereby to cooperate with the latter in dividing the interior of valve body 17 into a lower compartment 32 which is always in communication with the interior of container 11 through inlet tube 22, and an upper compartment 33 which is normally sealed-01f from the interior of container 11 by the sealing engagement of rib 31 with Valve stem 24.

Valve stem 24 is formed with a radial dispensing port 34 located in the lower portion of the valve stem above plug 25 so as to be disposed above sealing rib 31 when valve stem assembly 23 is in its uppermost position of FIG. 2. However, when valve stem assembly 23 is depressed against the action of spring 29, for example, to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, dispensing port 34 of stem 24 is disposed below sealing rib 31, that is, is located within the lower compartment 32, and the aerosol mixture can then enter port 34 and pass axially through stem 24 and adapter 26 for discharge through a nozzle 35 provided in a press button 36 mounted on the upper end of adapter 26.

It will be apparent that the pressure of the aerosol mixture in container11 continuously acts within lower compartment 32 of valve body '17, and sealing rib 31 of the latter is dimensioned so as to maintain its sealing engagement with valve stem 24 during movement of the latter between its closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, and its open or dispensing position, as shown in PEG. 3, so long as the pressure in lower compartment 32 does not exceed a predetermined value. However, when the pressure of the aerosol mixture exceeds the predetermined value, such excessive pressure acting on sealing rib 31 is effective to deform the latter, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to permit the leakage of the aerosol mixture between sealing rib 31 and the outer surface of stem 24 into upper compartment 33 from which the aerosol mixture can then escape through dispensing port 34 of valve stem 24 even though the latter is in its normally closed or raised position. In order to facilitate the escape of the excess pressure of aerosol mixture from upper compartment 33, the top wall of housing 16 is preferably formed with a vent hole 37 (FIGS. 2 and 3) opening from compartment .33.

It is desirable that the inner edge of sealing rib 31 be rounded, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, to minimize the frictional resistance to movement of stem assembly 23 by reducing the area of contact of rib 31 with stem 24. The rounded configuration of the inner edge of rib 31 further ensures that the fluid pressure in compartment 32 will apply an upwardly and outwardly directed force against rib 31 which deforms the latter, as shown in FIG. 4, to interrupt the sealing engagement with stem 24 in the event of an excess pressure.

It is further desirable to axially dimension collar 29 so that its lower end portion extends to thelevel of at least the upper part of rib 31, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, thereby to give radially outward support to the part of the side wall of body 17 from which rib 31 extends.

From the above it will be apparent that, so long as the pressure of aerosol mixture within container 11 does not exceed a predetermined value, which depends upon the hardness of the rubber of valve body 17 and the dimen sions and shape of its sealing rib 31, the valve 10 acts to normally seal the aerosol mixture within container 11 and to dispense controlled quantities of the aerosol mixture upon depression of the push-button 36. However, in the event of a possibly dangerous increase of the pressure of aerosol mixture in container 11, valve 11) embodying this invention acts automatically to release the excess pressure from the container, thereby to avoid any possibility of an explosion or forcible rupture of the container.

Further, it will be apparent that the valve 10, which is capable of operating as both a dispensing valve and a pressure relief valve, as described above,'is of relatively simple construction thereby to make possible its inexpensive production as is required of a valve suitable for use in disposable aerosol containers. It is also to be noted that the described arrangement for securing and sealing the valve body 17 within the usual housing 16 of container cap 12 substantially facilitates the assembly of valve 10 in the container cap 12 as the latter does not need to be deformed or otherwise worked, and thereby further reduces the assembly costs.

Although the valve 10 has been shown in the drawing as being mounted in the cap of a top-filled container, it is apparent that the valve 10 embodying this invention may be similarly mounted in a correspondingly formed top wall of a bottom filled container, that is, a container having an opening at the bottom thereof to receive the aerosol mixture and which is thereafter permanently sealed by a bottom wall or closure.

Further, although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein with-reference tothe accompanying drawing, it is to be noted that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention, except as defined in the appended claims What is claimed is:

1.. A valve comprising a tubular 'valve body having a resilient, inwardly directed annular sealingrib and means for admitting a fluid under pressure to the interior of said body at one side of said sealing rib, and a tubular valve stem extending axially in said body and having said sealing rib normally in sealing engagement with the outer surface of said stem, said valve stem having. a dispensing port therein and being axially movable relative to said body between a closed position, where said port is disposed at' the other side of said sealing. rib, and a dispensing position, where said port is disposed at. said one side of the sealing rib to discharge fluid under pres sure through said tubular valve stem, said sealing. rib being. responsive to an excess of fluid pressure at said one side thereof to move out of sealing engagement with said valve stem and form between saidrib and said stem a passageway for release of the excess pressure.

2. A valve. comprising a resilient tubular valve body having an inwardly directed annular sealing rib intermediate its ends, a tubular valve stem axially movable in said valve body with said sealing rib being normally in sealing engagement with the surface of said valve stem to divide the interior of said valve body into two compartments, and means for admitting a fluid under pressure into one of said compartments, said valve stem having a radial port and being movable between a closed position, where said port is located in the other of said compartments, and an open position, where said port is located in said one compartment to receive fluid under pressure for discharge throughsaid tubular valve stem, said sealing rib being responsive to an excess pressure of fluid in said one compartment to move out of sealing engagement with said valve stem and form between said rib and said stem a passageway for release of the excess pressure;

3. A valve comprising a resilient tubular valvebody having an inwardly directed annular sealing rib located intermediate the ends of the valve body, a tubular valve stem extending axially; into said valve body through one end of the latter with said sealing rib being normally in sliding sealing engagement with the surface of said valve stem, means closing the end of said tubular valve stem within the valve body, and inlet means for admitting afluid under pressure to the interior of said valve body at the other end. of the latter, saidtubular valve stem having a radial portand being axially movable relative to said valve body between a closed position, where said port is located between said sealing rib and said one end of the valve body so as to be normally isolated from said inlet means, and an open position where said port is located between said sealing rib and said other end of the valve body so as to receive fluid under pressure from said inlet means for discharge through said tubular valve stem, said sealing rib being responsive to an excess pressure of fluid admitted to said valve body through said inlet means to move out of sealing engagement with said valve stem and form a passageway between said rib and said stem for release of the excess pressure.

4. A valve comprising a resilient tubular valve body having an inlet for a fluid under pressure at one end thereof, a tubular valve stem extending axially into said valve body through the other end of the latter and having an axial bore which is closed at the end of said stem within said valve body, said valve body having an integral annular rib directed radially inward from the internal surface thereof at a location intermediate: the opposite ends of the body, said rib being normally in sliding sealing engagement with the surface of said valve stem to prevent the-passage therebetween of. fluid under pressure from said one end to saidother'end of thevalve body, said valve stem having a radial port opening into said axial bore,urneans yieldably urging said valve stem axially to a closed position where said port is disposed between said rib and said other end of the valve body, manually operable means. for displacing said valve stem axially against the force of said urging means to an open position where said port is disposed between said rib and: said one end' of the valve body to receive fluid under pressure from said inlet for discharge through said axial bore of the valve stem, and vent means for communicating said other end: of. the valve body with the atmosphere,. said sealing. rib being yieldable and movable out of sealing engagement with said valve stem by an excess of pressure at said one end to pass thefiuid under excess pressure between said rib and said valve stem for escape through saidlvent means.

5; The combination of a container for a fluid under pressure having a wall with, an aperture therein; and a combined dispensing and relief valve comprising a resilient tubular, valve body mounted in said wall with one end of said valve body extending around said aperture at. the inside of said wall, said valve body having an inlet for fluid under pressure at its other end which opens into the interior of said container and a radially directed, internal. annular sealing rib located. intermediate the opposite ends of said valve body, and a tubular valve stem extending through said aperture axially into said valve body past said'sealingrib, said rib being normally in sealing engagement with the surface of said valve stem, said valve stem having: an axial bore which is closed at the inner end of the valvestem and a radial port opening, into said axial bore, said valve stem being axially movable relative to said valve body between a closed position, where said radial port is: located intermediate said rib and said one end of the valve body and thus isolated from the fluid under pressure unless the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, and an open position, where said port is located intermediate. said rib and said other end of, the valve body to receive fluid under pressure from said inlet for discharge from. said container through. said axial bore of the valve stem, said rib being responsive to a fluid pressure at said other end in excess. of said predetermined value to move out of sealing engagement with said stem and form' a passageway between. said rib' and said stem for release of the excess pressure;

6; The combination of a container for: a fluid under pressure formed with a generally cup-shaped protrusion opening. into the interior of. the container and having a central aperture; and a valve com-prisinga resilient tubu 'lar: valve body disposed in said protrusion and having one end. seating against the inner surface of said protrusion around said aperture, said valve body further having an external, radially enlarged rim at said one end thereof, a rigid bushing in said tubular valve body adjacent said one end to hold said rim radially outwardly against said protrusion, a rigid retaining collar extending around said valve body and engaging axially against said rim, said collar having a force fit in said protrusion to secure said valve body in the latter and prevent leakage of fluid under pressure between said valve body and said protrusion, means defining an inlet for fluid under pressure at the other end of said valve body, a tubular valve stem extending axially through said aperture into said valve body and being movable relative to the latter between open and closed positions, and cooperating means in said valve body and valve stem to discharge fluid under pressure from the container through said valve stem in said open position of the latter and aosassa to seal the fluid under pressure in said container in said closed position of the valve stem.

7. The combination of a container for a fluid under pressure formed with a generally cup-shaped protrusion opening into the interior of the container and having a central aperture; and a valve comprising a resilient tubular valve body disposed in said protrusion and having one end seating against the inner surface of said protrusion around said aperture, said valve body further having an external, radially enlarged rim at said one end thereof, a rigid bushing in said tubular valve body adjacent said one end to hold said rim radially outwardly against said protrusion, a rigid retaining collar extending around said valve body and engaging axially against said rim, said collar having a force fit in said protrusion to secure said valve body in the latter and prevent leakage of fluid under pressure between said valve body and said protrusion, means defining an inlet for fluid under pressure at the other end of said valve body, and a tubular valve stem extending axially through said aperture into said valve body and being axially movable relative to the latter between open and closed positions, said tubular body having an inwardly directed annular sealing rib integral therewith and normally in sealing engagement with said valve stem to prevent the escape of fluid under pressure therebetween, said rib being responsive to an excess of fluid pressure at said other end to move out of sealing engagement with said stem and form between said rib and said stem a passageway for release of the excess pressure, said valve stem having a radial port located so as to be disposed between said rib and said inlet in said open position of the valve stem and to be disposed between said rib and said one end of the valve body in said closed position of the valve stem.

8. The combination as in claim 7; wherein said protrusion has a vent opening therein adjacent said aperture and opening into said one end of the valve body to permit the escape of fluid under pressure therethrough when said rib is moved out of sealing engagement with said valve stem by said excess pressure acting against said sealing rib.

9. A valve as in claim 3; wherein said sealing rib has a rounded inner edge engaging said valve stem to minimize the frictional resistance to movement of the latter and to provide a radially outward force component acting on said rib when fluid under pressure is admitted through said inlet means to urge said rib away from said stem at said excess fluid pressure. 10. The combination of a container having a cap with a centrally apertured valve housing protruding upwardly at the center thereof; and a combined dispensing and relief valve comprising a resilient tubular valve body in said housing and having an inlet at its lower end communicating with said container to receive pressurized material from the latter, means securing said valve body in said housing, and a tubular valve stem assembly projecting downwardly through the aperture of said housing into said valve body and having an axial discharge bore which is closed at its lower end, said valve body having an integral internal annular sealing rib in sealing engage- 'ment with said valve stem assembly to prevent the passage of material therebetween so long as the pressure in the container is below a predetermined value, said rib being responsive to a container pressure in excess of said predetermined value to move out of sealing engagement with said valve stem and form a passageway between said stem and said rib for release of the excess pressure, said valve stem assembly having a radial port opening into said axial bore and being axially movable between a closed position in which said port is disposed above said rib and a depressed open position in which said port is disposed below said rib to receive material from said inlet for discharge through said axial bore, and means urging said valve stem assembly upwardly to said closed position.

11. The combination as in claim 10; wherein said means securing the valve body in the housing includes a radially enlarged, external rim at the top of said valve body fitting closely in said housing, a rigid bushing in the top portion of said valve body, and a retaining collar pressed into said housing around said valve body and bearing upwardly against said rim of the latter for holding said rim in sealing engagement with the inner surface of the housing around said aperture of the latter, said collar extending down to the level of said rib to radially support said tubular valve body in the region of said sealing rib of the latter.

12. The combination as in claim 11; wherein said bushing and collar overlap axially so that said bushing holds said tubular valve body in sealing engagement with said collar to prevent the leakage of material therebetween.

13. The combination as in claim 10; wherein said valve body has a seat formed therein around said inlet and said valve stem assembly has a plug in its lower end to close said lower end of the discharge bore; and wherein said urging means is a helical compression spring having its lower end bearing against said seat and its upper end bearing against the lower end of said valve stem assembly around said plug.

14. The combination as in claim 10; wherein said valve stem assembly includes a tubular valve stem wholly contained in said valve body and having an outwardly directed radial flange at its upper end engageable with said housing to limit the upward movement of said assembly at said closed position, and a tubular adapter joined to the upper end of said valve stem and extending through said aperture of the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,744,665 Carlson et al. May 8, 1956 2,746,796 St. Germain May 22, 1956 2,818,202 A'bplanalp Dec. 31, 1957 2,856,235 Ward Oct. 14, 1958 

1. A VALVE COMPRISING A TUBULAR VALVE BODY HAVING A RESILIENT, INWARDLY DIRECTED ANNULAR SEALING RIB AND MEANS FOR ADMITTING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID BODY AT ONE SIDE OF SAID SEALING RIB, AND A TUBULAR VALVE STEM EXTENDING AXIALLY IN SAID BODY AND HAVING SAID SEALING RIB NORMALLY IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID STEM, SAID VALVE STEM HAVING A DISPENSING PORT THEREIN AND BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BODY BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION, WHERE SAID PORT IS DISPOSED AT THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID SEALING RIB, AND A 